But Giggs is well aware that City's own shortcomings might turn out to hold a silver lining for Roberto Mancini's prospects of retaining the title when European combat resumes and the going inevitably gets tougher for United.

The noisy neighbours might have been silenced for now, as much by the six-point lead United have established at the top of the table as the manner of their unbeaten record being dismantled, but Giggs believes City can still have an edge as the race intensifies next year.

Mancini's men were mocked from Stretford to Singapore for their dismal showing in the Champions League that yielded no wins, three points, and the unwanted record of the least successful campaign by an English club.

By way of contrast, United eased past relatively modest opposition to qualify comfortably for the knockout stages in February. Which means that Sir Alex Ferguson's men could face seven more games if they reach the final at Wembley on May 25, while City will not even have the distraction of the Europa League.

The point is not lost on Giggs, twice a Champions League winner who, in 1999, was a key member of the all-conquering team that also lifted the Premier League title as well as the FA Cup.

"City will have the week to prepare whereas we might have tough European games," he said. "City will have the advantage in that they will have a week to prepare for league games. We are used to it though, playing Wednesday-Saturday.

"It all depends on when the games are, and who we've got. But if it's Wednesday, then 12.45 in the Premier League on the Saturday, it can be tough. So really it's up to us to make sure we don't drop points around that time. We accept we are letting in too many goals, having to come from behind too much. But the signs are this could be a very good season for us. The quality and form is there, we just need the consistency week-in, weekout."

Giggs, who as a youngster was briefly at City - he once turned up for training wearing a United kit - has always maintained the Manchester derby cannot match United's fierce rivalry with Liverpool, but he might now be questioning that stance after catching his breath from Sunday.

He said: "Each derby over the last three years has intensified. The build-up is longer, the feeling if you win it is better than ever. We were just jumping up, I was hugging Scholesy. The momentum was with them at the end so it made it even more sweet to see Robin's goal go in.

"The manager gave us the day off, and we don't get many of them!"

Giggs accepts that United's neighbours have usurped Arsenal in the big-match calendar, a fixture boasted football of that for years boasted football of the finest quality as well as flying pizza and flying tackles.

He said: "With Arsenal we had so many battles, skilful games but tough as well. I felt the game was like that on Sunday."

While United have no problem rising to such occasions, Giggs warns they must be ruthless in harvesting points from less glamorous opponents, too.

He said: "Our best performances have been in the games where you don't need motivating. It can be different at Old Trafford. Teams are getting 10 behind the ball, and we've sometimes struggled.